Boojum: Beer, Folktales, & Good Times

The legend of the Boojum is a much-loved and happily remembered folktale that includes a gem-stealing, beer-loving monster and the plethora of shenanigans that a mountain monster can get into. It’s no wonder that Boojum Brewery stole this slightly scary while still loveable creature as its unofficial mascot. With a taproom on Main Street and the brewery sitting pretty at the start of Maggie Valley, this brewery would make any Boojum thirsty for more.

Kelsie and Ben Baker, a brother/sister duo and founders of Boojum Brewery, started their brewery with a dream of owning a family business and being their own bosses. With a mutual love of beer connecting them, they both decided to quit their day jobs and move closer to their family in Western North Carolina and figure out what brewing was all about. A year and a half of recipe perfecting, studying, and preparing to open seems to have done them a world of good as they are one of the most successful brewers in the region with rave reviews from tourists and locals alike.

Kelsie now acts as the operations manager, handling all the nitty gritty work that goes with keeping a brewing operation sailing smoothly. While Ben works as the brewer and head of recipe development. They are clearly proud of their business and have no problem sharing their enthusiasm with anyone who asks them about it. These two are very hardworking and don’t believe in resting on their laurels. For you and me, that means we can look forward to many delicious new brews in the future.

Innovations is the area where Boojum really seems to excel. To say I was impressed by the sheer amount of thought that goes into each brew would be a vast understatement. Everything from the types of yeast, the hops, the flavors, and regions where the ingredients come from is a very thoughtful and complex process that would leave a novice like me shaking their head in confusion. This is a brewer that really develops their flavors through experimentation and dedication to buying ingredients from all over the world to ensure that it happens just as planned. It may be more expensive and a lot more trouble but their dedication gives them the unique flavors that are unlike many other craft brewers.

Speaking of beer, jumping jackrabbits, there are a lot of them! With 15 on tap at their taproom and many experimental and seasonal brews being added periodically, you could reasonably visit Boojum’s taproom over and over again and not run out of new beers to try. They do offer flights but it’s recommended that you really get to know your beer by enjoying a full glass to get the full flavor of your beer of choice. I have to say that my personal favorite was their King of the Mountain, a double IPA with enough flavor and alcohol content to get you feeling just right by the end of your meal.

What are you going to be enjoying at the taproom? Year round you have your choice of King of the Mountain Double IPA, Balsam Brown Ale, Graveyard Fields (coffee and blueberry awesome), Reward Pale Ale, Triclops Tripel, Hounds of Helles Lager. Seasonally, you can have your choice of Summer IPA, Mur Raspberry Saison, Headless Hippie Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Winter Ale, and Dark Zone Milk Stout. Special releases include a Jalapeno Wheat IPA, Chocolate Peanut Butter Dark Zone, and Galaxy Far, Far Away IPA.

As per usual for Ben and Kelsie, they aren’t resting on their laurels. Expanding the brewery into a whole new building is next on their agenda, taking their production from 3,000 to 10,000 units. Then it’s on to expanding distribution and bringing their beer to regions all over the country. They’ll take the world by storm in no time. In the meantime, check out the taproom for a full menu and then head over to their brewery for the grand tour but make sure to call ahead. They’re probably working hard to come up with their next great brew.